Quote #8

It was at such moments that for an instant he ceased to be a reasoning machine, and betrayed his human love for admiration and applause. (Six Napoleons.144)

This is a major passage in terms of Holmes's character development. Though he is often likened to a "machine," he is very human in his occasional need for recognition and "admiration." Out of all the "human" qualities that Holmes could display, it's interesting that Watson latches onto his love of admiration as an example. How might that be significant?

Quote #9

It was strange, in the very depths of the town [...] to feel the iron grip of Nature, and to be conscious that to the huge elemental forces all London was no more than the molehills that dot the field. (Pince-Nez.2)

Though Watson generally reserves his admiration for Holmes, he occasionally strays and admires something else, in this case the power of "Nature." This passage is also a great example of Watson's literary style, and his use of metaphor.